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July 17, 2012

LivingSocial to Offer Merch on Top of Deals

By Colleen Lynch, TMCnet Contributor

LivingSocial (News - Alert), the online company known for offering deals on getaways, restaurants, and other events, has decided to foray into the world of selling merchandise on the Web, taking a note from Groupon Inc.



LivingSocial’s competitor has sold merchandise on its site for a while now, in addition to the offers it shares with LivingSocial such as spa manicures or theater tickets. Now, LivingSocial has thrown its hat in the ring too, and beginning today subscribers can now buy merchandise from LivingSocial’s online shop, which will change out its offerings weekly.

There will be about 16 to 20 items each week, which will cost between $40 and $50 on average, although prices will vary depending on the item. LivingSocial has reported its first collection of items will relate to a beach trip—think toys, blankets, tent gazebos, towels, etc.

Soon enough there will be back-to-school items offered or other such amenities for outdoor summer parties.

In addition, LivingSocial ensures its users that all its offerings will be discounted, in accordance with the aim to save money, a goal projected by both Groupon and LivingSocial, and part of their business-models.

The director of LivingSocial’s new shop, Emily King said the company has hired three buyers to facilitate the choosing of items to sell on the site, all based in New York, although the company is based in Washington D.C. The buyers will scour blogs, trading shows and showrooms for projects which are reportedly “framed around a social and memorable experience.”

LivingSocial hopes to beat Groupon’s new “Groupon Goods” program, or at least reach the level of initial success the online shop has seen since it was started last fall. Groupon Goods offers deals for electronics, household goods, and jewelry, to name a few, and so far LivingSocial has shown no aims to mimic their offerings, instead tailoring them to their own site.

As Amazon.com (News - Alert) Inc. holds a small stake in LivingSocial, the company should have a good start on its venture into online retail, taking business tips from the hugely successful American multinational electronic commerce giant.



Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2012, taking place Oct. 2-5, in Austin, TX. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. For more information on registering for ITEXPO click here.

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Edited by Brooke Neuman
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